Booktalking "Can You See Me Now?" by Estela Bernal

amanda

Amanda writes letters to her dead father. She tells him about her dreams and aspirations. She informs him of her challenges. She lets him know about how her life and her mother's are falling apart.

Mandy is tormented at school by a group of mean girls. She finds some solace in Lobo, a dog that she is fostering for Rogelio, a boy across the street. Like Amanda, Rogelio and Paloma do not quite fit in with the crowd at school. Paloma teaches the other two yoga, and they luxuriate in Paloma's garden. Outside of school and outside of her house, peace and light coalesce with her friends. 

Luckily, the girl's grandmother gives her all the love and support that she has. She comforts Amanda in the stark absence of her mother. She essentially takes over the parenting role when it becomes crystal clear that grief has completely overtaken Amanda's remaining living biological parent. 

Can You See Me Now? by Estela Bernal, 2014